Code reading system for identification of moving and stationary objects utilizing noncoherent optics

ABSTRACT

For purposes of material handling and inventory management of railway cars, trucks, crates, packaged and unpackaged goods, and similar objects, markings, comprising a plurality or a composite of coded patterns, on such moving and stationary objects are used for their identification or identification of their contents. To permit such identification, an extended source of spatially incoherent light is modulated by passage through or reflection from the markings to provide input images of the coded patterns. The input images are projected through a pair of plates each having a Fresnel zone thereon for transformation of the input images into output signals corresponding to the optical Fourier transforms of the input images. Since the spatial positions and angular orientations of the output signals are dependent upon the spatial frequencies and orientations of the input images, the coded markings comprise a plurality of distinct patterns of different orientation and spatial frequency which can be correlated to a numerical identification system corresponding to information concerning the objects. The system is designed to operate as close to the geometrical optics limit as is practically feasible.

United States Patent Myer et al.

[54] CODE READING SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFICATION OF MOVING AND STATIONARY OBJECTS UTILIZING NONCOHERENT OPTICS [72] Inventors: Jon H. Myer, Woodland Hills; Thomas R. OMeara; John M. Richardson, both of Malibu, all of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company, Culver City, Calif.

[22] Filed: July 20, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 164,373

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 770,241, Oct.

24, 1968, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. .....250/219 D, 250/237 G, 350/162 ZP, 350/321 [51] Int. Cl. ..GOln 21/30 [58] Field of Search....250/2l6 R, 220 R, 219 D, 219 DD, 250/237 G; 340/173 LT, 173 LM; 356/71; 350/162 SF, 162 ZP, 321

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,312,955 4/1967 Lamberts et al ..350/162 SF 3,314,052 4/1967 Lohmann ..350/162 SF OTHER PUBLICATIONS Oster et a1., Scientific American, Vol. 211, May 1963,

[451 Oct. 24, 1972 Primary Examiner-David Schonberg Assistant Examiner-Ronald .1. Stem Attorney-W. l-l. MacAllister et al.

[57] ABSTRACT For purposes of material handling and inventory management of railway cars, trucks, crates, packaged and unpackaged goods, and similar objects, markings, comprising a plurality or a composite of coded patterns, on such moving and stationary objects are used for their identification or identification of their contents. To permit such identification, an extended source of spatially incoherent light is modulated by passage through or reflection from the markings to provide input images of the coded patterns. The input images are projected through a pair of plates each having a Fresnel zone thereon for transformation of the input images into output signals corresponding to the optical Fourier transforms of the input images.

Since the spatial positions and angular orientations of the output signals are dependent upon the spatial frequencies and orientations of the input images, the coded markings comprise a plurality of distinct patterns of different orientation and spatial frequency which can be correlated to a numerical identification system corresponding to information concerning the objects. The system is designed to operate as close to the geometrical optics limit as is practically feasible.

10 Claims, 24 Drawing Figures P ATENTED i972 3.700.907 sum 02 or 14 COMPUTfl? PATENTEDum 24 I972 SHEET OR 0F 14 PA'TENTEB um 24 I972 SHEET DSUF 14 Jon H. Myer,

Thomas R. OMeoro,

John M. Richardson,

INVENTORS. QE BY.

ATTORNEY.

PATENTEOncI 24 1912 SHEET lOflF 14 Fig.5.

PATENTEDnm 24 m2 SHEET llUF 14 V/ V//////// /a O PATENTEDum 24 1912 SHEET 12 0F 14 wzdja EEOmmZ/EP PATENTED B 3.700 907 SHEET 130? 14 wwww Q/Q Q Q Q Q Q Q SHEET lUUF 14 CODE READING SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFICATION OF MOVING AND STATIONARY OBJECTS UTILIZING NONCOHERENT OPTICS This application is a continuation-in-part of copending patent application, Ser. No. 770,241, filed Oct. 24, 1968, entitled Code Reading System, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to a new and improved optical system for identifying moving or stationary coded objects from which coded light images are transformed into either identifiable sine transforms or identifiable cosine transforms using noncoherent optics.

Material handling includes the management of quantities of objects such as moving or stationary crates, railroad cars, goods, and inventory items and it is important that pertinent information, such as the loca tion, contents, destination, and other identification concerning these objects, be readily available. In the case of crates, goods and inventory items, such information enables their expedient storage and retrieval and the maintenance of an accurate up-to-date inventory to provide for efficiency and economy of operation. Regarding railroad cars and other moving or rolling stock, the availability of such data can provide information regarding the progress, location and contents of a particular car, train or truck, and the availability of empty cars and the expeditious maintenance of equipment and rolling stock. Acquisition of such pertinent information is sometimes made difficult because many of these objects have a similar or not easily recognizable external appearance.

As a consequence, any identification system should meet at least the following criteria. The means for reading a code identifying the objects or their contents should at least be capable of automatic retrodirective operation and perform with sufficient rapidity and flexibility to detect a non-moving code as well as a code moving at velocities exceeding, for example, 80 miles per hour. The code itself should be made of durable materials capable of withstanding all weather and wear conditions. Additionally, an optical code reader should be economical to build, contain no moving parts so as to be easy to install, maintain and adjust, and be insensitive to diverse weather conditions, level and kind of illumination and to the distance between the code and the code reader. Furthermore, the code itself and the output of the reader should be easily recognized by an unskilled operator.

A number of different systems have been devised to provide for the automatic generation of inventory and rolling stock data; however, they have not been entirely successful in meeting the above-stated preferred characteristics. For example, one prior optical system utilizes color coding techniques. The use of colored indicia as coded designators, however, requires considerable maintenance because the colored indicia are highly susceptible to bleaching as a result of constant exposure to sunlight and diverse weather conditions. Another system involves mechanisms utilizing coherent light sources and optical readers having costly, com plex rotating mirror and lens assemblies which are not well suited for unattended outdoor operation over an extended period of time. A further system employs correlation techniques wherein masking devices are used to detect the presence of particular coded characters. These systems have generally had the shortcoming of being able to operate only with objects having low passing velocities. Additionally, accurate positioning is necessary to provide successful operation. Such systerrs are further handicapped for employment with railroad cars which are characteristically subject to a lateral rocking or swaying motion.

The present invention overcomes and avoids these and other problems by providing an optical reading system which operates essentially in a passive manner, which has no moving parts, and which is capable of automatically reading coded indicia regardless of direction of traversal of either a moving object or a moving reader. To this end, the present invention, when employed to provide inventory or railroad car information, presents the advantage of an economical, durable reader that is easy to install, maintain and operate over extended periods of time under all weather conditions, and that will perform in conjunction with coded which are stationary or have having high passing velocities.

Briefly described, the present invention includes an optical system operating as close to the geometrical optics limit as is practically feasible for automatically reading coded indicia located on stationary and moving objects to be identified. As a corollary, the reader may be moved across stationary objects, such as railway cars parked in a car yard.

More particularly, the desired identification of the objects is accomplished by the use of coded reflective markers or labels placed on each of the objects to be identified. Preferably, the markers comprise a composite or series of bar patterns having specific widths and orientations according to an identification code. Spatially incoherent light from an extended source is reflected from the markers to produce input images which are automatically read by an optical code reader located at a reading station. Specifically, The optical code reader includes an optical transformer including a pair of Fresnel zone transparencies. When the spatially incoherent light from the source is reflected from the markers, the light is modulated in accordance with the marker pattern to provide input light images. These input images are then directed through the Fresnel zone transparencies which transform the images in such a manner as to produce output signals corresponding to the optical Fourier transforms of the input image signals. These output Fourier transform signals are formed in an output plane where they are detected by an appropriate number of suitably positioned photo-sensing devices.

In the prior art, coherent light has been passed through a Fresnel zone plate in such a manner as to cause the Fresnel zone to act as a lens. The light images thereby produced may be superficially compared to those produced by the present invention, but, in reality, are quite different because their production results from the use of diffraction techniques based upon Fraunhofer, coherent optics principles. Diffraction techniques are generally more expensive, cumbersome, and difficult to use due to the critical parameters of the required components. Diffraction techniques require the use of monochromatic light which is projected through the combination of a transparency capable of forming the input image and a lens to produce the desired Output image. When the input image is formed as a bar pattern, the transparency comprises a diffraction grating. All operations employing diffraction phenomena require critical dimensional control of the optical components used.

Conceptually, the present invention differs from prior art diffraction techniques in that the output images of the present invention are not produced by diffraction of coherent light but by obstruction of noncoherent light. While an output image produced by diffraction may be mathematically described as the spatial power spectrum of the input image, which is the sum of the squares of the sine and cosine transforms, in the present invention these transforms are individually and directly produced as distributions of light intensity in the output plane. To accomplish these results of the present invention, diffraction effects must be minimized, since they would seriously interfere with its performance so as to make it inoperative.

Structurally, the present invention is not restricted by the use of components having critical parameters and, thus, provides greater versatility at less expense when compared to diffraction techniques. For example, the present invention does not require the use of monochromatic light, as required by diffraction techniques, but instead permits the use of polychromatic or white light. Further, as distinguished from diffraction techniques, neither a miniature light source nor a critically flat transparent grating are required. Thus, the present invention can use large light sources, such as extended sources of light, e.g., spotlighting or sunlight, which provide the required diffuse or spatially incoherent light and which have an appropriately wide aperture, therefore allowing for greater light intensity. Additionally, the input image or signal can be presented in a variety of convenient formats.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved optical system for identifying moving and stationary objects.

Another object is to provide a passive code reading system.

Another object is to provide an optical code reading system that is suitable for employment as an identification and/or classification system for railway cars or for inventory items in a warehouse.

Another object is to provide such a system which is operable by ordinary sources of light, such as spotlighting and sunlight.

Another object is to provide an optical code reader that does not include moving parts.

Another object is to provide an economical optical code reading system that is easy to construct, install, maintain and operate over extended periods of time under all weather conditions.

Another object is to provide an optical code reading system that is capable of reading coded markers on stationary or on moving objects having high passing velocities.

Other aims and objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments which are to be considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which to transformation and which is provided by the reflective marker of FIGS. 1 or 2;

FIG. 4 depicts an output cosine signal representing the transform of the input image of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram useful in understanding the mathematical explanation of one embodiment of the present invention comprising a cosine transformer;

FIG. 6 illustrates curves g, I3, and r which are useful in discussing a second embodiment of the present invention configured as a sine transformer;

FIG. '7 is a plan view depicting a portion of pair of displaced Fresnel zone patterns of identical polarity;

FIG. 8 is a plan view depicting a portion of a pair of displaced Fresnel zone patterns of opposing polarity;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are side views illustrating a pair of differently scaled Fresnel zone patterns to illustrate the zone pattern shadows converging at the pseudo-focal length on a transforms plane without the use of a converging lens, FIG. 9 showing patterns of identical polarity and FIG. 10 showing patterns of opposing polarity;

FIG. 11 illustrates a pair of Fresnel zone plates of identical polarity useful as an aid in the description of the optical phenomena of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is similar to the illustration of FIG. 11 with an input image added thereto as a further aid in the description of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a plot of the several transform constants (Q for a plurality of Fresnel zone patterns;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to that of FIG. 12 further useful in describing the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a view of a pair of identically scaled Fresnel zone patterns of identical polarity, an input image and a converging lens which is useful to aid in the description of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary detector and output signal processing arrangement for reading output signals;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a different plurality of single representations of parallel bar patterns each having angular orientation for use as the basis of a numerical coding scheme for forming input images;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the angular orientations a plurality of conjugate loci of the output transform image signals corresponding to the orientations of each of the bar pattern input images of FIG. 17;

FIG. I9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first exemplary marker arrangement for producing in parallel specific input images and the detection of their transforms;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second exemplary marker arrangement for producing a series of specific input images and the detection of their transforms;

FIG. 21 illustrates a marker having a plurality of concentrically arranged graphic bar patterns for forming a specific composite grouping of input images;

FIG. 22 is a representation of the composite of the output transform signals of the input image grouping formed by the patterns on the marker shown in FIG.

FIG. 23 illustrates a marker having a plurality of composite concentrically arranged graphic bar patterns arranged to represent a particular decimal number having four digits; and

FIG. 24 is a representation of the composite of the output transform signals of the input images produced by the patterns on the marker shown in FIG. 23.

Accordingly, with reference to FIG. 1, a reflective marker 10, or other equivalent input image forming means, having substantially non-reflective bars 12 separated by light reflective areas 14 to fonn a specific, illustrative graphic bar pattern code, may be used as indicia to be read by the optical code reader of the present invention. Reflective marker is assumed to be adapted for bi-directional motion across the field of view of the code reader by being mounted on a railway car or other moving object, as indicated by arrows 16 and 18; however, the reading will not change if the marker is stationary or if the reader moves with respect to the marker. The reflective marker may include corner cube elements, having a trihedral angle with mutually perpendicular sides, which will reflect incident light in the direction of the light source regardless of the incident angle.

Input image forming means 10 is illuminated by an extended source 30 of spatially incoherent light, the rays of which are collimated by a lens 32 and reflected in the direction of marker or label 10 along the system axis 34 by a partially transparent mirror 36. The light rays are reflected from marker 10 and are thereby modulated to provide input images of the graphic bar pattern. The input images pass through the partially transparent mirror and are appropriately focused by a lens 38 on a Fourier transformer 20 which comprises a pair of transforming transparencies 22 and 24 having Fresnel zones 23 and 25 thereon for transforming the input images into individual sine or cosine light signals, a lens 26 and an output or transform plane 28 on which the Fourier transform signals are focused by lens 26. Each transparency may be made of any material or combination of materials that will provide a medium having the characteristic of being transparent. Lens 38 serves as a telescope and projects a real image of the code marker onto a plane which may be coincident with or proximate to the planes of either of transforming transparencies 22 or 24.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate method of illuminating input image forming means 10 wherein a plurality of conventional extended sources 31 of spatially incoherent light arranged about axis 34 are directed at input image forming means or marker 10. As a further alternate, sufficiently strong sunlight can be used as the source of light.

The Fourier transform signals produced by transparencies 22 and 24 are represented mathematically as a complex function having a real portion (i.e., cosine transform) and an imaginary portion (i.e., sine transform). This complex function serves to define the spatial frequency content of the input image.

Physically, a cosine transform signal, for example, takes the form of output light signals produced on an output plane, such as transform plane 28, by projecting spatially incoherent light from an extended source of light through a pair of Fresnel zones, such as zones 23 and 25, towards the output or transform plane. The sine transform is produced in a similar manner, with a modification of the Fresnel zone plates. For both the sine and cosine transforms, the spatially incoherent light is modulated by an input pattern or the like, such as marker 10, to provide input light images of spatially incoherent light and to produce output signals on the output plane corresponding to the transformed input images.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, as a result of using an input light image produced from the modulation of the spatially incoherent light by graphic bar pattern 10, whose bars 12 and 14 are arranged in a spaced parallel relationship as shown in FIG. 3, the cosine transform of the input bar pattern light image takes the form of conjugate loci depicted as a pair of spaced circular zones or dots 40 (see FIG. 4) which correspond to the fundamental spatial frequency of the input light image. These zones or dots appear on the output plane and are equally spaced from a center point 42 of output plane 28 on an imaginary straight line 44. Point 42 lies on axis 34. Line 44 extends through the center point and is rotated as illustrated by are 46, from the input bar pattern image, which is represented in FIG. 4 by dashed line 10' as a superimposition thereon for illustrative purposes. It is to be understood, of course, that pattern 10 does not, per se, appear on output plane 28.

The distance 47 of circular zone or dot signals 40 from center 42 on the transform plane is dependent, in inverse proportion, on the spatial frequency or width 48 of bars 12 and 14 of the input light image. Consequently, as the spatial frequency of the graphic bar pattern image is increased, that is, as the width of the bars or as the distance between bars is decreased, the distance from each of the circular zones to the center of the output plane is proportionately increased, as will become apparent from the discussion of FIGS. 12 and 13, in particular.

The orientation of imaginary straight line 44 extending through the conjugate loci and the center point of the output plane is also dependent on the orientation of bars 12 and 14 forming the graphic pattern of the input light image. As stated above, this imaginary straight line will always be orthogonal to the bars.

Because the bar pattern image is composed of the superposition of many sinusoidal patterns, representing the fundamental spatial frequency and its harmonics, additional circular zones or dots of much weaker intensity and corresponding to the harmonics will appear on the same imaginary straight line. Such additional zones, however, do not interfere with the working of the present invention.

The conjugate loci for any particular graphic multiple parallel bar pattern will remain stationary on output plane 28 when reflective marker 10 is moving across the field of view of and relative to the code reader in either of the directions indicated by arrows 16 or 18. The only result of such movement is an intensity modulation of the loci at a frequency which is proportional to the passing velocity of marker 10, the spatial frequency of the graphic bar pattern, and the inclination of bars 12 relative to the direction of motion. Bars oriented parallel to the direction of motion will result in conjugate loci of the transform image which are not intensity modulated and which have a constant intensity.

As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the system of the present invention includes the pair of transforming transparencies 22 and 24, lens 26, if needed, and output plane 28, all of which are respectively aligned along an axis 34 and arranged in a mutually parallel relationship. An extended source30 or 31 of spatially incoherent light and an input image forming means complete the system.

Each of the transforming transparencies has Fresnel zones 23 and 25 therein. As is well known, a Fresnel zone pattern includes a plurality of concentric circles or rings wherein each successive circle has a radius proportional to the square root of successive integers starting with numeral 1 and wherein the alternate areas formed by adjacent circles are darkened to form a pattern of alternating opaque and transparent concentric rings. More generally, the circles or rings may have a radius proportional to the square root of successive integers from which a constant fractional quantity has been subtracted. For use in the present invention, however, there are certain limitations in the construction of the zone pattern, as will be more fully described hereinafter with reference to the mathematical explanations of the present invention. Qualitatively, the Fresnel zone patterns are constructed both to minimize diffraction effects by increasing the focal length of each zone pattern far beyond output plane 28 and to make the Moire errors of the combined zone patterns small.

As stated above, lens 26 is used, if needed. This requirement depends on the scaling of Fresnel zone patterns 23 and 25. If the zone patterns are identically scaled, the output image without lens 26 will form at infinity. To avoid this impractical result, lens 26 is included as shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 to converge the output image on output plane 28. Alternatively, this result can be obtained without the use of a converging lens if the rings of the Fresnel zone patterns are scaled in such a manner that the rings 23a of zone pattern 23 are proportionately larger than the rings 25a of zone pattern 25 to permit each set of parallel light rays converging on the center of output plane 28 to pass through corresponding rings of each of the Fresnel zone patterns. Otherwise stated, any one pencil beam of light of infinitely small diameter passing through the n' ring of zone pattern 23 also passes through the n" ring of zone pattern 25, where the former n" ring is further distanced from axis 34 than the latter n' ring. Since zone pattern 23 is of larger scale than zone pattern 25, all pencil beams for the corresponding rings of the two patterns form an imaginary cone having its apex at center 42 of the output plane.

In order to further understand the operation of the present invention, the effect, called the Moire effect, obtained by use of a pair of Fresnel zone plates is first described when the input light from an extended source of spatially incoherent light is not modulated by the input image forming means. Thereafter, the effects of the input image forming means are described. It bears repeating that, in this discussion, the dilfraction effects of the Fresnel zones must be minimized.

AMoire effect occuring between transforming transparencies or plates 22 and 24, as a result of respective Fresnel zone patterns 23 and 25 thereon, is an essential aspect of the operation of the invention. It is well known that two such transparencies, when placed together in a superimposed fashion but with a center displacement, will produce a visible plane wave beat or Moire pattern which has wave fronts extending orthogonal to the direction of the displacement. The spatial frequency of the Moire pattern is directly proportional to the center displacement between the superimposed transparencies. Similarly, a zone plate interacting with a plane wave pattern will produce a Moire pattern composed of three Fresnel zones, of which the center zone is identical with the original zone on the zone plate. See Proceedings of the Symposium on Modern Optics, Polytechnic Press of the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, Brooklyn, N.Y., Mar. 22, 23, 24, 1967: p. 546, FIG. 2; p. 547, FIG. 4; p. 548, FIG. 5. The same Moire pattern can be observed by viewing the separated transforming transparencies through a small aperture at any point on output plane 28 other than its center 42. In this case,'however, the spatial frequency and the direction of the wave fronts of the visible Moire pattern are dependent on the amount and direction of the displacement of the observation point relative to the center point. Otherwise explained, different plane wave beats or Moire patterns will be observed from different observation points.

When rays of incoherent light are directed at transforming transparencies 22 and 24, the light rays passing therethrough are modulated in accordance with the Moire pattern formed by the two Fresnel zones. Altemately stated, the intensity of the light reaching the output plane may be calculated for each light path by multiplying the intensity function of projected light rays taken at the light source by a Moire pattern transmission coeflicient that varies with position.

The total light intensity at any given point on output plane 28 due to all light rays converging at the given point is proportional to the integral of the product of the projected light intensity function and the Moire pattern transmission coeflicient.

When the input light from the light source is modulated by an input image forming means, the total light intensity at any given point on the output plane is proportional to the integral of the product of the input image function and the Moire pattern transmission coefficient.

The transformation process may be alternately described as follows. When a large zone plate transparency is superimposed at a distance over a smaller zone plate transparency and is transilluminated, then the locus for all possible Moire line patterns will be on the transform plane at the pseudo-focal length of the two zone plates. This infinite member of Moire pattern loci averages out in summation and will be invisible. The introduction of a parallel line grid anywhere in the converging ray bundle will subtract one complementary Moire pattern from the field and make the two loci for that particular pattern visible on the transform plane.

A more complete understanding of the invention may b further obtained by a mathematical analysis of the device which is designed to operate as close to its geometrical optics limit as is practically possible. In the following analysis the strict hypothetical geometrical optical limit is first assumed and later a rough investigation is made of undesired diffraction effects, which cannot be eliminated from any practical physical embodiment of the invention. The discussion will first deal with the operation of the cosine transformer. The modifications necessary to obtain a sine transformer will then be discussed.

Commencing with the discussion of the cosine transformer with reference to FIG. 5, a displacement perpendicular to longitudinal axis 34 is denoted by the two dimensional vector 5 (x,y). A position on axis 34 is denoted by the scalar coordinate 2. Thus, the position of a point in three dimensional space is specified by both I and z. The element of area in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is denoted by d r, where d dxdy. A spatial frequency vector will be denoted by the vector I c= (p,m).

The origin, designated 0, of the coordinate system is placed in the center of lens 26 with the z-axis coincident with longitudinal axis 34. The position in any plane perpendicular to the axis is denoted by vector 5. All of the elements of the present invention, including input image forming means 10, transfomling Fresnel zone transparencies 22 and 24, lens 26, and output plane 28, are oriented perpendicular to longitudinal axis 34. Although means 10 may not necessarily be perpendicular to the z-axis, the input image will be as it passes through transparencies 22 and 24. The input image forming means, placed at z =c, has a transmission coefficient pQ). Transforming transparencies 22 and 24 are respectively placed at z =-b and z =a, and have transmission coefficients of fLr) and g([), respectively. Transform field or output plane 28 is positioned at z t where t is the focal length of lens 26. The intensity on this plane is denoted by o(l On this plane, k is proportional to the actual position r in a manner to be subsequently determined. I

Considering a set of rays converging at the point D in output plane 28, the central ray passing through origin is defined by the vector equation I (z/t)D (I) where r is the vector whose direction and magnitude extends from the origin to point D on output plane 28. A typical ray passing through a non-central point E on lens 26 is generally defined by the vector equation r=(z/ )D+ z s 0, 2) which equation is reduced to g in the median plane of lens 26. Such a non-central ray will pass through a point A on transforming transparency 24 at =(a/t)g,+ through a point B on transforming transparency 22 at [o+ 4 and through a point C on image forming means at m+- (5) Any ray passing through transparencies 24 and 22 and through image forming means 10 will be attenuated by a factor equal to the product of the functions g, f, and p evaluated at respective points A, B, and C. Summing all rays converging at point D on output plane 28, the light intensity at that point is defined by the expression where 1.1. is a system parameter proportional to the intensity of the source of diffuse illumination. For the sake of simplicity, the ranges of integration in equation (6) are assumed to be infinite, but with p(g) vanishing outside of a finite domain.

gives the transmission coefficient as a function of position, may be defined as f( )=g(z)= 7 7) where a, B and y are constant parameters and where r is the magnitude of r. In order that transmission coefficientsf( and g( lie between zero and unity, parameters a and {3 must satisfy the two inequalities The multiplier of p( in the integrand of the last line of equation (6) can then be given by i (1+? ZD) it (1+ 1) where the spatial frequency vector k is related to r,, by the expression 7( 11-11 )I In and where the phase shift 8 is given by 6=(2cba)/4y(ba) k (l I) The remainder term, which may be termed the Moire error and which is assumed to give a negligible contribution to the integral, is given by the expression c-a k in which k is the magnitude of l Inserting equation (9) into the last line of equation (6) and neglecting the remainder R( 5,15), the desired result is obtained 6(5 =Vf 5 f z q COS i-2+ in which 0' is written as a function of 15 instead of [D and the constants, V and W, are given by the expressions 

1. An optical system for identifying moving and stationary objects in accordance with an identification system utilizing a plurality of separate codes designating individual and different identification information relating to the objects comprising: input image means secured to the objects and having identification means depicting one or more of the separate codes for transmission of the information contained therein; an extended source of spatially incoherent light for illuminating said input image means for providing a spatially incoherent light signal modulated in accordance with the information contained in said input image means; transformer means in the path of the modulated light signal, including a pair of Fresnel zone patterns having a construction such that said patterns negligibly diffract the modulated light signal, for producing an output image which is the optical Fourier transform of said input image, said Fresnel zone patterns in combination being positioned so as to produce the optical Fourier transform of said input image as the modulated spatially incoherent light signal passes through said Fresnel zone patterns; and detector apparatus placed in the optical path of the output image for selectively detecting the output image and for obtaining the information contained therein.
 2. An optical system defined by claim 1 wherein said identification means comprises a plurality of predetermined patterns of light reflective and non-reflective means corresponding to the separate codes.
 3. An optical system defined by claim 2 wherein each of said predetermined patterns of light reflective and non-reflective means comprises a graphic multiple parallel bar pattern having a predetermined fundamental spatial frequency and orientation representing a selected one of the separate codes of the identification system.
 4. An optical system as in claim 1 wherein said identification means comprises a plurality of bar patterns graphically representing a plurality of alpha-numeric symbols and having a distinct and different angular orientation for each represented alpha-numeric symbol, said plurality of bar patterns being arranged in a sequentially detected linear array.
 5. An optical system as in claim 1 wherein said identification means comprises a plurality of bar patterns graphically representing a plurality of alpha-numeric symbols, said bar patterns having a distinct and different angular orientation for each represented alpha-numeric symbol, and having a distinct and different spatial frequency defining the sequential position of the symbols in a parallel simultaneously detected array of said bar patterns.
 6. The optical system defined by claim 1 wherein said detector apparatus comprises a plurality of photo-electric detectors situated in close proximity to said output plane.
 7. In an optical system for identifying moving and stationary objects having reflective markers arranged thereon in a predetermined manner representing identification information relating to the objects, an optical reader comprising: means for illuminating said reflective markers to project spatially incoherent electromagnetic wave energy signal of said markers by reflection; means in the path of the projected signals including a pair of adjacently placed Fresnel zone patterns through which the signal are projected, said Fresnel zone patterns having a construction so as to negligibly diffract the projected signals and being spaced from one another to develop output signals of the optical Fourier transforms of each of said reflective markers by optically transforming the projected signals as the projected signals pass through said Fresnel zone patterns; and means for detecting each of the output signals corresponding to the optical Fourier transforms to provide further signals representing the identify of the objects.
 8. The apparatus defined by claim 7 wherein said reflective markers are provided with reflective and non-reflective areas arranged in a graphic multiple parallel bar pattern the fundamental spatial frequency and orientation of which are representative of a particular unit in a coding scheme identifying the objects.
 9. An optical system for identifying moving and stationary objects comprising: input image means secured to said objects and containing information identifying said objects; an extended source of spatially incoherent light for illuminating said input image means for providing light signals of spatially incoherent light modulated in accordance with the information contained in said input image means; transformer means including a pair of Fresnel zone patterns positioned in the path of the modulated, spatially incoherent light signals, said Fresnel zone patterns in combination being positioned so as to produce optical signals of the individual sine and cosine optical Fourier transforms of the input images upon passage of the modulated signals through said Fresnel zone patterns, said transformer means focusing the optical signals in an output plane and said Fresnel zone patterns having a focal length extending beyond the output plane at a distance sufficient to enable detection of the optical signals; and a detector apparatus positioned at the output plane for receiving and detecting the optical signals and for recognizing the information contained in said input image means.
 10. An optical system as in claim 9 wherein said input image means comprises a plurality of bar patterns, each of said bar patterns comprising a plurality of light reflective and non-reflective bars in parallel orientation and of equal width, the orientation of each of said bar patterns having an angular inclination and the width of said bars of each of said bar patterns having a width dimension in accordance with a coding system conforming to the information identifying the objects, whereby the spatially incoherent light signals are modulated in accordance with the specific orientation and spatial frequency of said bar patterns, for transformation by said transformer means into the optical signals comprising conjugate loci in the output plane centered about the axis thereof at distances from and angular dispositions about the axis conforming to the input image configuration. 